Newark NJ vs Thousand Oaks CA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
Thousand Oaks, CA
California · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$1,053,424
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Newark
307,188
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newark
N/A
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Median Age
Newark
34.8
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Foreign Born
Newark
34.9%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
White
Newark
16.5%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Black
Newark
46.7%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Asian
Newark
1.9%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Hispanic
Newark
37.2%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Newark
N/A
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,188 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 34.9% | N/A | - |
| White | 16.5% | N/A | - |
| Black | 46.7% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 1.9% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newark
$48,416
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Newark
$25,509
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
Thousand Oaks
$77,230
Unemployment Rate
Newark
10.9%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Newark
24.7%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Newark
17.4%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,416 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $25,509 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $77,230 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.9% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.4% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newark
$482,675
Newark +
Thousand Oaks
$1,053,424
Homeownership Rate
Newark
24.1%
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $482,675 | $1,053,424 | Newark + |
| Homeownership Rate | 24.1% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
218
Newark +
Thousand Oaks
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
1426
Newark +
Thousand Oaks
2388
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 503 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 2388 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
35.9%
Thousand Oaks
23.0%
Thousand Oaks +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.6%
Thousand Oaks
10.1%
Thousand Oaks +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newark
20.0%
Thousand Oaks
15.0%
Thousand Oaks +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newark
23.4%
Thousand Oaks
5.8%
Thousand Oaks +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
Thousand Oaks
15.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newark
18.2%
Thousand Oaks
8.6%
Thousand Oaks +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 23.0% | Thousand Oaks + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 10.1% | Thousand Oaks + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 15.0% | Thousand Oaks + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 5.8% | Thousand Oaks + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.7% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 8.6% | Thousand Oaks + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
54.9°F
Newark +
Thousand Oaks
62.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
46.3 in
Thousand Oaks
16.5 in
Thousand Oaks +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9°F | 62.7°F | Newark + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | 16.5 in | Thousand Oaks + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
Thousand Oaks
7.9 µg/m³
Thousand Oaks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newark
75.0%
Thousand Oaks
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Thousand Oaks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Newark
35.9 min
Thousand Oaks
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Thousand Oaks, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 35.9 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Newark offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $482,675. On public safety, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Thousand Oaks. Thousand Oaks has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Thousand Oaks scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.0%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Newark, NJLos Angeles, CA vs Newark, NJChicago, IL vs Newark, NJHouston, TX vs Newark, NJNewark, NJ vs Phoenix, AZNewark, NJ vs Philadelphia, PA